The ability to offer true shelter to deserving Ukranian families gives our community at Sherborne Prep a tangible sense of being able to help. Better still, they are wonderful additions to our school.
It is hard to find positive stories amidst the smoke and rubble of Ukraine, not only in the devastated country itself, but also in countless lives affected by the conflict. Ohla P joined the school from Kyiv in June 2022, arriving with her sister, mother, two dogs and a cat. Adjusting rapidly to a complete change of life, status, language and culture Ohla was not fazed by the two-thousand-mile journey to a different climate, country and culture.
Seizing every opportunity at Sherborne Prep, Olha has rekindled passions for gymnastics, swimming and Art. Principally, however, Olha is a superb musician and sings with the Prep Chamber Choir and Abbey Girls’ Choir. We were exceptionally proud that Olha joined fellow Ukranians to tour the Eastern United States, singing traditional songs to a highly receptive and emotionally astute audiences. They sang a capella in Grand Central Station, New York and brought the house down at the Carnegie Hall, among many other achievements. Olha also performed in the Festival of Children’s Choirs with the famous Ukrainian ‘Schedryk’ choir, who also toured in Basel in May.
We hope that, along with continued education and a stable and benign environment here in Sherborne, this academic, pastoral and musical flourishing provides succour not only to Olha and her family, but also to others who are comforted and inspired to see civilisation and culture survive and prosper amidst the horrors of war. We are extremely proud of Olha.
Alastair Poulain, Deputy Head Co-curricular, otherwise known as the Minister of Fun at Sherborne Prep!
Categories: Sherborne School
